Lead farmer and Interns wanted at Morning Star Farm

Morning Star Farm is looking to fill positions for the upcoming 2016 season.

We are a small family operation located on a 120-year-old homestead on Orcas Island, WA. The property is 34 Acres and includes 20 acres of eco-forestry land, 2 acres under bio-intensive cultivation on a south facing slope, 1 acre pond, small orchard, pasture. We have developed a successful farm business selling organic veggies, flowers, berries, eggs and herbs to our CSA members, the farmers market, local restaurants, food bank and schools. At age 57, with a “weaker than used to be back”, I am looking for a strong competent and passionate young lead farmer and interns to collaborate with and carry on this business in a new way!

LEAD FARMER POSITION:Some general skills I am looking for: Lead farmer must be happy working independently as well as with team. They must have a strong work ethic, care about doing their best and be willing to admit mistakes. They have a love of learning and are not afraid to ask questions. They have a love of the outdoors and pay attention to the surrounding ecosystem. They are outstanding communicators and like to have fun while working as well as enjoy silence while working.

Desired qualities: honesty, integrity, self-aware, compassionate, good listener, good sense of how to organize, sense of humor, flexibility. Must have at least 2-3 years of experience working on small farms with increasing responsibility each year. Past experiences include but are not limited to learning with a diverse variety of crops and growing conditions, teamwork, learning to focus on ongoing health of the soil, learning to trouble shoot in the field then follow up with research, collaboration to execute plan of action if need be. They know the importance of planning and can act on a plan or discuss needed changes.

Work hours include some long days and some short days as farm demands ebb and flow. On average we try to include 1 1/2 days off a week. Responsibilities include but are not limited to assistance with overall planning, assistance with scheduling of succession planting for market and csa crops, managing volunteers and interns, help manage fertility program, irrigation, bed prep, seeding, planting, cultivating, harvesting, preparing produce and flowers for market, caring for chickens, composting, deliveries as well as sales at farmers market, end of the season clean up compost and cover crop planting.

Housing: 16 by 16 wood framed tent cabin with electricity and Wi-Fi, or off the grid cabin wit basic cooking facilities, small sitting area sleeping loft, porch Wi-Fi. Outdoor Shower. Composting Toilet, area to set up outdoor group kitchen if desired.

Dates of Employment: March 15th, 2016–November 1, 2016

Farmer Stipend : $1000 a month plus shared profit at the end of the season. Includes produce and housing.

INTERNSHIP POSITIONSome farm experience is preferred but a strong desire to learn is enough. Must have strong back and knees, enjoy hard physical labor and early mornings with an ability to do the repetitive daily tasks in all kinds of weather as well as creative problem solving.(wheel barrel has a flat what can I do?, How do we move the chicken tractor without hurting ourselves?) Good communication skills and a willingness to work with all personalities is essential, ability to hear constructive criticism without taking it personally, a good sense of humor also a must, day to day organization is helpful as is a good understanding of self care

Educational Opportunities: You will have a chance to learn in the greenhouse, out in the fields, at the compost site and in the marketplace. Tasks include bed prep, seeding, planting, cultivating, harvesting, preparing produce and flowers for market, caring for chickens, composting, deliveries and sales at farmers market creating CSA boxes. Other possibilities include occasional workshops through WSU extension service, experience with local school and/or summer camp field trips to farm, poultry care, carpentry skills, and agroforestry work.

Dates of Internship: April 1st, 2016–November 1, 2016

Intern Stipend: Depends on experience, includes produce and housing.

Interns and head farmer may either live in 16 by 16 wood framed tent cabin with electricity and Wi-Fi, or off the grid cabin wit basic cooking facilities, small sitting area sleeping loft, porch Wi-Fi. Outdoor Shower. Composting Toilet, area to set up outdoor group kitchen if desired.

If interested in either position, please complete the attached application and email it to msfarm@rockisland.com